Cult Sports Video Games That Have Conquered the World

We tried to compile a list of the best sports-themed video games which were, each in its own time, making hundreds of millions of people around the world sit for hours in front of their computers.

Achieving the most realistic visual and auditory sensation for consumers is the ultimate task of the video game industry and, of course, to earn millions of dollars along the way. But, when it comes to the pleasure that countless hours of playing their favorite sports simulation games have brought them, the fun that gamers get in return does not know the categories like time and money spent.

Table Of Contents:

• Championship Manager                                                                                                                       
• FM10                                                                                                                                                  
• Kick Off                                                                                                                                               
• Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs                                                                                           
• NHL ‘94                                                                                                                                               
• FIFA                                                                                                                                                    
• NBA Live                                                                                                                                             
• SWOS                                                                                                                                                  
• Madden NFL                                                                                                                                        

We are sure that each of you, at a certain period of your life, was attached to one of these games. Nowadays it is possible to wager on e-sports and the top-rated bookmakers for this purpose can be found here.

Championship Manager

At the time it was introduced, in 1992, this soccer game was not very noticeable on the market, and one of the main reasons for that is the fact that it was written in the BASIC programming language, which was not very suitable for the requirements of computer games at that time.

A commercial and financial turnaround followed as early as 1993 with improved graphics performance and the introduction of the names of existing soccer players and teams.

FM10

This simulated soccer video game series was first called Worldwide Soccer Manager, until 2009, when it was renamed Football Manager. The cult edition among fans became Football Manager 2010 (FM10).

A year earlier, the FM09 edition introduced 3D graphics that had a revolutionary effect on gamers: far better animation, including the pitch, stadiums, and, finally, the ability to shout from the edge of the pitch as a head coach to point out your ‘genius’ tactics change to your players.

Kick Off

Introduced in 1989, Kick Off video game is a series of soccer video games made for the computer platforms that many today remember with nostalgia (Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum, NES). Despite the ‘poor’ graphics, the revolutionary novelty reflected the possibility of creating tactics, as well as the realization of player transfers.

The sequel called Kick Off 2 was another step further. In particular, this game has improved the possibility of computer possession of the ball and dribbling. But the detail by which Kick off 2 ‘bought’ all consumers was the action replay option with which you could record and compile your goals in slow-motion view and proudly show them to your friends.

Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs

The first video game with a basketball theme that had real names of players and teams in the menu was made in 1989. The name of this very popular game alludes to the famous rivalry of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics in the mid-80s and their numerous clashes in the playoff finals. Soon after, other NBA teams were added to the game and the NBA Playoffs was added to the name of the series so you could choose one of eight teams that were among the 16 that competed in the playoffs the previous year.

Innovations were also made in terms of presenting the game in the style of TV broadcast with commentators, audience, halftime entertainment… Players could play against each other or against the computer. The ability to use the characteristic moves of NBA stars was also an option.

NHL ‘94

There was an NHL Hockey game, then its sequel NHLPA Hockey ’93 but a true hit was definitely the NHL ’94. Officially licensed by the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association, it appeared in 1994 and is considered the best and most played hockey-themed video game.

Designed to provide players with as realistic a game as possible, it has a reputation as the most revolutionary of all hockey games. It had a display model in 2D technology, using the vertical angle of the camera, competition options throughout the season with precise statistics, players going through the protective glass, several effective ways of hitting the puck…

FIFA

In 1993, the American video game manufacturer EA Sports released the first in a series of games for which it managed to obtain a license from the world football association (FIFA). The series includes, among others, the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Australian A-League, American MLS League…

In addition to authentic soccer leagues, the game also uses the real names of clubs, players… Breaking into the top of the industry was the edition FIFA 96 with ‘virtual stadium’ options, players moving in 2D technology… And even greater progress followed with the release of FIFA: Road to World Cup 98. The graphics were improved and the game contained the complete course of the World Cup with qualifying groups and all participants in the World Cup.

NBA Live

NBA Live is a series of basketball video games, the successor to the NBA Playoffs, that had its first release in 1995.

Starting in 2000, the game features the NBA Live Legend All-Star Teams option, which includes the game’s biggest names from the 1950s to the 1990s. In order for a player to be able to use all the basketball players on offer, it is necessary to achieve the right to activate them by playing the game well.

SWOS

According to some reviews of specialized video game magazines, Sensible World of Soccer (SWOS) was considered one of the most important games in the history of this industry. The first version of the game came out in 1994 as a successor to the 1992 game Sensible Soccer and is a combination of playing in 2D technology with the option of being a manager. Its greatest specificity is the way of playing, which involves the use of only one command on the keyboard, which includes shooting and passing, which on the other hand does not diminish the dynamism of the game itself.

SWOS is designed so that you can lead the club of your choice in the role of head coach or manager. At any time you can choose whether you want to play, watch the game, or just see the final result. Each of the players has characteristic abilities (speed, shooting, dribbling, head kick …) and their market value is based on those abilities. The options that are also included are buying players, exchanging players, coaching national teams…

Madden NFL

In addition to the FIFA video game series, the game that is one of the best-selling games ever along with it was named after the famous Oakland Raiders head coach, and later the commentator, John Madden. The game appeared in 1988 and debuted on Apple II computers, first under the name of John Madden Football and since 1993, as Madden NFL.

In addition to the very realistic installations in the game that John Madden insisted on, a special curiosity is the existing voice of the commentator who gives the gamer the impression of a real TV broadcast with him personally in the lead role, and a large part of these comments was recorded by Madden himself.